#OTD: Abolitionist John Brown, Born in 1800, Remains a Symbol of Radical Resistance

John Brown, a white, 19th-century abolitionist, was born on May 9, 1800. A white man unwaveringly devoted to ending slavery, Brown spent his life fighting oppression—donating land to escaped slaves and aiding the Underground Railroad. Frederick Douglass once said Brown “is in sympathy a Black man,” a testament to his deep commitment. In 1859, Brown led 21 men—Black and white—in a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, W.Va., aiming to spark a slave uprising. The raid failed; Brown was wounded, captured, and ultimately hanged. Though controversial, he remains one of the most enduring and radical figures in the history of American abolition. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.